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The blurry image of the ceiling flashes before my eyes.
The pressure in my chest grew as the air was sucked out of my lungs.
The bubbles all around me as I open my mouth to let out a scream.
My throat grows tight as the memories overwhelm me.
I sink my nails into my skin to ground myself, trying to take a deep breath and then another.
Once I’m calm enough, I finish my shower as quickly as possible and get out.
With a towel safely wrapped around me, I clean off the fog from the mirror and look at my reflection. My face is pale, and I have deep circles under my eyes. The last few weeks have been hard since it’s been a two-year anniversary since we found out about mom’s cancer. And although overall I’ve been doing better, there were days when the memories became too much to deal with—the nightmares too hard to shake.
Turning on the faucet, I splash some cold water on my face. As I straighten, the towel holding my hair starts slipping, so I fix it. That’s when I notice them.
The bruises.
There are a few scattered over my upper arm and one on my breast.
No, not breast. Underarm. Just under my armpit.
I watch the purple bruises as if transfixed.
Slowly, I raise my hand and trace my fingers over the discoloration.
“I’m telling you; everything was amazing. Theo is just so sweet and perfect and…” I let out a long sigh because, seriously, there are no words to describe just how perfect Theo is. And he’s my boyfriend.
My freakingboyfriend!
I never thought I’d have one, but once Nixon went to college and his intimidating, over-the-top shadow wasn’t cast over me, people have actually started to notice me.
Boys have started to notice me.
Theo and I had a class together this last semester. We chatted occasionally, but nothing happened until early May when a group of us were studying. We were the last two left alone, and then, out of nowhere, he leaned in and kissed me. We’ve been dating ever since.
“Yeah, yeah. I know all about howperfectTheo is,” Elena, my best friend, comments dryly. “That’s all you’ve been able to talk about lately. Theo-this and Theo-that.”
“Elena…” I drawl out as I climb to the second floor. The downstairs was quiet when I got home. Strange, since Mom always makes a point to be there when I get home from my dates.
“Don’t Elena-me. You know I’m telling the truth. It’s just…”
The light peeking through the gap in the doorway of my parent’s room catches my attention, as do the hushed voices.
“Elena, I’ll call you back,” I say softly. Not waiting for my friend’s answer, I hang up before moving closer just to see my dad pacing the room. He runs his fingers through his hair, pushing it back.
“This can’t be happening. Not again. Not…”
“You think I want this?” Mom asks, coming into view. “This is the last thing I want. Not now.” She extends her hand and grips my dad’s arm. “Kevin…”
That’s when I see them.
She’s wearing one of the sleeveless tops she usually wears for workouts, and there are dark bruises covering her side, just underneath her armpit.
What in the hell…I step forward, pushing the door open. “What’s going on?”
I blink, the room coming back into focus, as do the bruises on my body. Shaking my head to clear my mind, I grab my tee and pull it over my head.
“It’s just bruises, Jade. You probably hit yourself carrying all the damn boxes,” I chastise myself, but then that damn tub draws my attention again.
